Intraoral dental radiographic film packet pad

ABSTRACT

Padding for a radiographic film packet may be formed of a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate and supplied as a portion of the film packet or as a pad for attachment to an existing film packet. The pad extends along an edge surface on the film packet to relieve discomfort and to facilitate positioning of the pad and film packet within the patient&#39;s mouth for accurate exposure to X-rays. The side of the packet opposite the pad is allowed to remain unpadded for the following reasons; to avoid increasing the overall packet dimensions, to facilitate relatively free access to the film contents of the packet, and to enable the film packet to fit into film holders that are currently used for film placement. The padded film packet is especially useful in periapical films where it is especially desirable to expose root areas and adjacent tissues.

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.725,765 filed Apr. 22, 1985 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,216.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to padding intraoral film packets. Thepurpose of this is to increase patient comfort and facilitatepositioning of the film packet within the patient's mouth in order toachieve optimal exposure of the teeth and adjacent tissues.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The predominant use of the "paralleling" technique in dental radiographyresults in low distortion exposures if the film packet can be properlyplaced within the patient's oral cavity. For periapical radiographs, thefilm placement must be sufficient to enable an exposure of the entiretooth including the crown and root and as much of the tissuessurrounding the root as possible. This requirement, coupled with theneed to maintain the film in a plane parallel to the long axis of theteeth, causes significant problems. There are currently two types offilm packets. One type consists of a stiff cardboard-like paper packet.Another is a plastic packet which is heat sealed around its perimeter.This seal provides a thinner, more flexible edge. However, the plasticedge is even more sharp than that of the paper packet. Both formstherefore cause discomfort and often fairly intense pain when pressedinto tissues by a dental operator attempting to obtain an adequateexposure. This is particularly difficult with children, adults withsmall mouths, and adults who exhibit sensitive bony projections off ofthe inside of the mandible and the hard palate, known as tori. It isespecially difficult when the patient is required to cooperate inholding the film packet in the desired position by biting firmly on afilm holder. Children will often not cooperate due to the pain anddiscomfort caused from the film packet. However, if the film packet isallowed to shift within the patient's mouth to a more "comfortable"position, or if the patient will only bite until the film meetsresistance with his soft tissue, the quality of the resulting radiographwill be adversely effected.

This problem has not, to the knowledge of the present applicant, beenadequately solved until advent of the present invention.

Pads for radiographic film have been disclosed in prior patents. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 1,995,579 to M. B. Hodgson discloses an X-raydental film package that includes an absorbent pad structure attached toone surface of the film package and extends across the surface to aperimeter enclosing the entire perimeter of the film packet. The problemof discomfort was therefore recognized by Hodgson. However, the solutiondisclosed, while adequate for some purposes, added a considerable amountof bulk to the film package and therefore added to the difficulty inobtaining properly exposed radiographs. It is noted also that the"bisecting" method of obtaining radiographs was then in popular use.This technique allowed placement of the film packets at more comfortableangular orientations within the patient's mouth. The Hodgson package maytherefore have functioned adequately with this particular radiographictechnique, but cannot be adequately used with the currently more populardiagnostically accurate "paralleling technique". This is due primarilyto the fact that the absorbent pad increases the overall thickness ofthe film package considerably and the peripheral rim extends the overallpacket dimensions also by a considerable amount. Furthermore, the pad isconstructed of "pressed absorbent cotton". This material will increasecomfort to the patient but will not compress significantly when pressedagainst the soft tissues of the sublingual mucosa below the patient'stongue or the hard or soft palate above the tongue.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,925 to Bolin discloses a dental X-ray film package.Here, the package itself has been modified to include a yieldablepackage having a thick perimeter "bead". The pack is formed of anelastic rubber and the peripheral "beading" extends about the entirefilm perimeter. This package, like the Hodgson arrangement, includes anoverall length and width dimension substantially greater than the actualfilm size. This results in problems similar to those discussed above.

A partial solution to the film packet size problem is recognized in U.S.Pat. No. 1,631,497 to Marler. Marler discloses a resilient beadarrangement for encasing the perimeter of a film packet. The improvementis in the elimination of an additional surface formed integral with thebead as shown in Bolin and Hodgson. Marler, however, continues use ofthe bead extending about the entire package periphery.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,084,092 to Kenney discloses a dental film holder. Thisholder is provided primarily for the purpose of providing a "bite wing"for gripping between the patient's teeth to produce "bite wing"exposures. This is a form of exposure often used for detectinginterproximal caries. Bite wing X-rays do not require exposure of theroot tips and surrounding tissues as with periapical exposures. Theholder is formed of a resilient material with corner pockets to receiveadjacent corners of the film packet. All four corners of the film packetare received within adjacent pockets of the holder which therebyincrease the overall film packet size. Furthermore, sections of thesharp film packet edges are left exposed and can engage tissues to causediscomfort during exposure.

The problem of affording adequate padding along the relatively sharpedges of intraoral radiographic film packets has remained, until adventof the present invention. The present invention can be utilized tocushion the engaged tissues of the patient against the sharp edges of afilm packet while maintaining a minimal overall film dimension. Thesetwo features enable very accurate and complete exposures using theparalleling technique while also maximizing patient comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a film packet and pad combinationillustrating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of an existing film pack with a padattachment mounted thereto;

FIG. 4 is a flat pattern view of an attachable pad similar to that shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 only showing a pad for attachmentover an end of a film packet;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken through a film pack and thepresent pad;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic right mandibular sagital view illustratingplacement of the film packet and present pad arrangement within apatient mouth;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7 with thefilm packet held in place via a film holder; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the present pad and filmpacket with a film holder placed at the forward portion of themandibular arch for a "central-lateral" exposure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In compliance with the constitutional purpose of the Patent Laws "topromote the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8),applicant submits the following disclosure of the invention.

There are two forms of the present invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a combined radiographic filmpacket and pad arrangement embodying one form of the present invention.Another form is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5. This form constitutesa pad specially adapted to be secured to existing forms of intraoralradiographic film packets. Both forms of the present invention serve thesame goal of increasing patient comfort during exposure of the film andfacilitating placement of the film within the patient's mouth at suchpositions that will yield the optimum quality exposure.

The combined film packet and pad are designated in the accompanyingdrawings by the reference numeral 10. Numeral 11 is assigned theattachable pad, which is mountable to an existing, commerciallyavailable form of film packet 12 (FIG. 3). The film envelope portions ofthe film packet and pad 10 and the existing form of film packet 12partially shown in FIG. 2 are very similar. Like features will thereforebe referred to with similar reference characters to avoid confusion andredundancy.

The film packets 10 and 12 will each include a light-tightfilm-receiving envelope. The envelope will include a lingual surface 13and an opposed labial surface 14. These surfaces are substantiallyparallel and planar to cover the enclosed film, paper and metal backingand to avoid exposure to light. The two surfaces 13 and 14 are joinedtogether along substantially parallel first and second longitudinaledges 15a. Opposed ends of the envelope are defined by substantiallyparallel first and second transverse end edges 17. First through fourthrounded corners 18, 18a, 18b, and 18c join the parallel side and endedges. The edges 15 and 17 define the perimeter of the film envelope.

A cover flap 20 may be provided on the lingual surface 13. The coverflap 20 is used to selectively cover a film access opening 21 typicallyformed through the lingual surface 13 and under the flap to enableaccess to the film contents of the envelope. The cover flap 20 andaccess opening 21 ordinarily extend transversely across the film packetenvelope. However, longitudinal flaps and access openings could beprovided.

Existing, commercially available packet envelopes are typically formedof either a stiff cardboard type paper or a fairly flexible plasticmaterial. The cardboard packets are fairly rigid and very uncomfortableto the patient. The plastic material is flexible and somewhat resilientbut the joined edges 15, 15a and 17, 17a feel very sharp to the patientwhen they are pressed into the tissues of the mouth in preparation forexposure of the enclosed film. The present combined pad and packet, andattachment pad forms may utilize either cardboard or plastic envelopessince the attached pad 24 will present a softer surface for engagementwith the sensitive tissues while facilitating relatively free placementof the film within the patient's mouth.

The present film packet and pad assembly 10 may include a substantially"L"-shaped pad 24. Pad 24 includes a longitudinal leg section 25extending along and overlapping one of the longitudinal edges,preferably the first longitudinal edge 15 and the first and secondcorners 18, 18a of the film packet envelope. The transverse foot ortransverse end section 26 of the "L" configuration will extend up one ofthe transverse end edges, preferably the first end edge 17 andoverlapping the adjacent third corner 18b. The longitudinal andtransverse pad sections may also overlap both opposed lingual and labialenvelope surfaces.

The pad 24 may be attached to or otherwise secured to the envelopeduring construction of the film packet. The resulting product willtherefore be a combined film packet and pad sold ready-for-use. In thecombination, the longitudinal pad section 25 will facilitate positioningof the packet 10 at any position within the patient's mouth for bitewing or periapical exposures. Specifically, the film packet may bepositioned with the longitudinal pad section pressed into the sublingualmucosa for "premolar", "molar", and "distal oblique" exposures.

The pad 24 will allow the film packet to be mounted, for example, to afilm holder 27 such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,371. The holdercan be gripped between the patient's teeth to hold the packet firmly inplace without causing excessive discomfort or injury. The film packetcan be accurately placed and held in position with the labial surface ofthe film packet facing the teeth such that the occlusal surfaces of theteeth are very close to the elevation of the top edge of the filmpacket. The roots of the teeth and surrounding tissues will therefore beadequately exposed on the film surface for a complete and accurateperiapical exposure.

The same procedure is followed for maxillary exposures. The film packetmay be turned with the pad engaging the hard or soft palate (dependingupon the exposure required). The pad will avoid discomfort or injury tothe palatal tissues while affording an accurate positioning of the filmfor exposure.

The longitudinal pad section can also be used in conjunction withexisting forms of "bite wings" (not shown). A commercially available"bite wing" may be attached as a flange to the labial surface of thefilm pack and placed between the occlusal surfaces of the teeth for"bite wing" exposures. Here, the longitudinal pad will continue to servein reducing patient discomfort.

The transverse or foot section 26 of the pad 24 may be used primarilyfor anterior periapicals (FIG. 9) and vertical bite wings. Here the padserves basically the same function as the longitudinal pad leg 25 inpreventing discomfort and facilitating placement.

It is noted that the second side edge 15a and the second transverse end17a, and the fourth rounded corner 18d opposite the L-shaped pad remainuncovered. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, thesesurfaces remain uncovered to reduce the overall dimensions of the filmpacket. Thus, the pads are used most advantageously to reduce discomfortwhile the overall size of the packet remains at a minimum. Thisfacilitates placement of the packet in positions that would otherwise bevery difficult to attain. Secondly, the uncovered edges will allow thefilm to be placed in holders 27 currently used for film placement.Additionally, the position of the L-shaped pad arrangement does notresult in coverage of the circular "occlusal dot" 30. The dot 30 is usedas an indicator to remind the dental operator or assistant placing thefilm to keep the proper (labial) side of the packet facing the tube ofthe X-ray machine. The dot is also used to indicate the orientation ofthe exposure. Another reason for this arrangement is to facilitateaccess to the film through the cover flap 20 and film access opening 21.The pad may be provided with a slit, shown as a line 31 in FIG. 1,directly over the underlying cover flap edge to facilitate hingedmovement of the flap to an open condition. The envelope interior willtherefore remain freely accessible.

Two forms of the attachment pad 11 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The formshown in FIG. 4 is also shown in FIG. 2 attached to a longitudinal edgeof an existing film packet 12. Attachment pads 11 are substantiallyrectangular, extending between opposed ends 34. The ends 34 areconnected by substantially parallel side edges 35. A central fold ordepression 32 is formed longitudinally between ends 34 for receiving anedge of the film packet 12. The depression indicates where the packetedge is to be placed when the pad is being secured to the pocket 12.

The pad ends 34 are spaced by a length dimension of the pad attachmentthat is at least equal to the dimension along one envelope end edge(between longitudinal edges 15 of a film packet envelope). This lengthassures that the entire engaged edge will be covered and adjacent labialand lingual pocket surfaces will be overlapped by the pad to protectengaged tissues of the patient's mouth.

The distance between the two sets of notches for the FIG. 4 version ofthe pad attachment 11 may be substantially equal to the length dimensionof the associated longitudinal film packet envelope edge. The padremaining beyond the tabs therefore forms that portion of the pad shownin FIG. 3 extending up the transverse edges. Similarly, the attachmentpad shown in FIG. 6 includes a length dimension between notch pairs 40and 41 that is substantially equal to the width dimension of the filmpacket envelope between the longitudinal side edges 15. The remaininglength beyond the notches will therefore be used to extend partiallyalong the longitudinal side edges, producing rounded corners that arenot shown but are similar to those shown in FIG. 3.

The attachment pad 11 includes an inner surface 36 that includes thedepression 32, and an outer surface 37. The surfaces 36 and 37 arespaced apart by a thickness dimension of the pad. It is preferred thisthickness dimension be approximately 1.5 mm. This same thicknessdimension is preferred also for the packet pad combination shown in FIG.1.

It is also preferred that the inner surface 36 of the attachment pad becoated with an appropriate non-toxic adhesive 38 that will enable thepad to be firmly secured to the film packet envelope.

Each form of the attachment pad may include a first set of notches 40adjacent one of the pad ends 34. The notches 40 enable folding of thepad to the configuration shown in FIG. 3 such that the adjacent pad end34 will extend up the engaged end edge of the film packet envelope.Another set of notches 41 can be provided at the opposite pad end tofacilitate a similar folding action of that end and engagement along theopposite end edge of the film packet envelope. The resultingconfiguration is shown in FIG. 3. The pad form shown in FIG. 6 will besimilar to that shown in FIG. 3 only fitted along a selected end edge ofthe film packet envelope.

All forms of the present pad structure are preferably constructed of aresilient non-toxic material that is biocompatible with oral tissues.Ethylene vinyl acetate foam has been found to include such qualities andhas been used with success. The spongy nature of the ethylene vinylacetate (EVA) readily accepts pleasant flavorings that may distract fromthe unpleasant taste of the typical film packet envelope. Furthermore,EVA readily lends itself to coloring. Different pad and packet sizes cantherefore be "color-coded".

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural features. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, since the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise a preferred form of putting the invention into effect. Theinvention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modificationswithin the proper scope of the appended claims, appropriatelyinterpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:
 1. An intraoral dental radiographic film packet, comprising:anelongated light-tight envelope enclosing dental radiographic film andhaving a lingual surface and a labial surface joined together alongfirst and second longitudinal edges and along first and secondtransverse end edges; the packet further including a pad member havingan elongated leg section extending along and overlapping substantiallythe full extent of one of the longitudinal edges and a substantiallytransverse foot section extending along and overlapping substantiallythe full extent of one of the transverse end edges the film packetfurther including means for being engaged by a conventional dentalradiographic film holder; wherein the pad member is formed of aresilient nontoxic material, biocompatible with oral tissue; an accessopening formed in the envelope and a transverse cover flap on theenvelope for selectively covering the access opening said cover flapincluding an edge spaced from the access opening; and wherein one of thepad sections overlaps the cover flap and is separable along a slitdirectly over the underlying cover flap edge to facilitate movement ofthe cover flap to an open position permitting access to the accessopening.
 2. The intraoral film packet of claim 1 wherein the pad memberis formed of foamed ethylene vinyl acetate.
 3. The intraoral film packetof claim 1 wherein the pad sections project approximately 1.5 mm from atleast one of said lingual or labial surfaces of the light tightenvelope.
 4. The intraoral film packet of claim 1 wherein the padsections overlap both lingual and labial surfaces of the light tightenvelope.
 5. An intraoral dental radiographic film packet, comprising:asubstantially rectangular light-tight envelope for releasably enclosingdental radiographic film and having a first thickness dimension betweena lingual surface and a labial surface the surfaces being joinedtogether along substantially parallel longitudinal edges andsubstantially parallel transverse end edges; corners joining thelongitudinal edges with the transverse end edges; the film packetfurther including a longitudinal resilient pad section extending alongand overlapping substantially the full extent of one of the longitudinalenvelope edges and the corners adjoining the same one longitudinal edge,and a substantially transverse pad section extending along andoverlapping substantially the full extent of one of the envelopetransverse end edges and the corners adjoining the same one transverseend edge, the pad sections defining an increased substantiallyconsistent thickness dimension through the packet with reference to thefirst thickness dimension between the lingual and labial surfaces of theenvelope; the packet including means, along the remaining longitudinaledge, transverse end edge and the corner therebetween of the firstthickness dimension, for enabling the lingual and labial surfaces of thelight tight envelope to be engaged and gripped by a conventional dentalradiographic film holder such as the kind including a slot for receivingone of the remaining edges and a bite portion extending outwardly of theslot; and wherein the pad sections are formed of a resilient nontoxicmaterial, biocompatible with oral tissue.
 6. An intraoral dentalradiographic film packet, comprising:a substantially rectangularlight-tight envelope for releasably enclosing dental radiographic filmand having a lingual surface and a labial surface joined to the lingualsurface along first and second longitudinal edges and along first andsecond transverse end edges; first and second corners joining the firstlongitudinal edge with the first and second transverse end edges, andthird and fourth corners joining the second longitudinal edge with thefirst and second transverse end edges; the film packet further includinga longitudinal resilient pad section on at least one of the envelopesurfaces and overlapping substantially the full extent of the firstlongitudinal edge and the first and second corners and a transverseresilient pad section on at least one of the envelope surfaces andoverlapping substantially the full extent of the first transverse endedge and the third corner; the pad sections including a substantiallyconsistent thickness dimension in relation to the thickness dimension ofthe envelope between lingual and labial surfaces; the pad sections beingformed of a resilient nontoxic material, biocompatible with oral tissue;and the envelope including exposed surface means, along the secondlongitudinal edge, the fourth corner, and the second transverse edge,for enabling the packet to be engaged and held by a conventional dentalradiographic film holder and for reducing discomfort to a patient whenthe packet is positioned in the patient's mouth.
 7. The intraoral dentalradiographic film packet of claim 1, 5, or 6 further comprising occlusaldot means on the packet, spaced clear of the pad sections for indicatingorientation of radiographic film enclosed within the packet.